Chapter 57: Landscaping
§ 57-1. Purpose
§ 57-2. Definitions
§ 57-3. General provisions
§ 57-4. Standards and criteria
§ 57-5. Maintenance and performance bonds.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Williamsville 5-14-90 as L.L. No. No. 8-1990. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Zoning - See Ch. 112.

§ 57-1. Purpose

§ 57-2. Definitions.

DECIDUOUS TREE - A tree or shrub that sheds its leaves annually.

EVERGREEN - A plant or tree that retains its verdure leaves or needles through all seasons.

GREENSWARD - Turf that is green with growing grass.

GROUND COVER - A planting of low plants that covers the ground, in lieu of turf or greensward.

LANDSCAPED AREA - That part of any development which is to be devoted to greensward, shrubs, trees, ground cover, berm, lighting fixtures and other ornamental features designed to produce an integrated and harmonious environment.

PARKING AREA - The open area on any premises regulated herein, designed for the short-term storage of motor vehicles.

§ 57-3. General provisions.

(1) Where the estimated value of the proposed improvement, as stated in the building permit application, is thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.) or more.

(2) Where the combined total value of proposed improvements for any one (1) premises, as stated in any series of building permit applications in any twelve-month period, is thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.) or more.

B. Any application for a building permit subject to review under this chapter shall be accompanied by three (3) copies of a proposed landscape plan, drawn to scale. The plan shall be reviewed by the Environmental Advisory Committee, and its recommendations shall be forwarded to the Planning/ Architectural Review for final approval before the issuance of a building permit.

C. The drawings of any proposed landscape plan shall include the following:

(1) Name and address of the applicant and of the project and of the individual who prepared the plan.

(2) Estimated cost of proposed completed landscaping.

(3) North direction point, scale of drawing and date.

(4) Existing and proposed streets, public or private side walks and curb cuts immediately adjoining and within the proposed site, including the names of all streets.

(5) Current survey or plot plan.

(6) Locations, dimensions and proposed use of any new or existing building or structure, parking areas, loading and stacking areas and driveways.

(7) Required greenspace and parking calculations.

(8) Location, species and caliper of existing deciduous or evergreen trees and any other vegetation to be preserved or eliminated; and location, species and caliper of any new landscaping or other amenities to be provided.

(9) Location and design of lighting, fencing, screen walls, drainage, signs and refuse container area

(10) A grading plan, where applicable, showing existing and finished grade levels.

(11) Location and dimensions of all permanent signs.

§ 57-4. Standards and criteria

A. The landscaped area shall be not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the total lot area of the development

B. Landscaping shall he designed as an integral part of the entire development, with the arrangement and spatial location of the landscaped areas dispersed throughout the site.

C. Existing natural features and vegetation shall be preserved and incorporated into the landscape plan, wherever possible.

D. A landscape plan shall include, wherever possible, trees as the dominant feature. Shrubs, ornamental trees, greensward and other vegetation shall be used as a complement to the trees, but should not form the exclusive landscape treatment.

E. Any parking area providing for eleven (11) to twenty (20) vehicles shall devote not less than five percent (5%) of the interior of the parking area to landscaping. Any parking area providing for twenty (20) or more vehicles shall devote not less than ten percent (10%) of the interior of the parking area to landscaping. Landscaping shall be designed in a manner so as to minimize the unsightly and monotonous aspect of a parking area.

F. All planted areas located within a parking area shall be contained by a poured-in-place concrete curb to protect plant material and ensure proper growth.

G. Where any areas regulated by this chapter abut a Residential R District, the abutting lot line shall be screened in accordance with Chapter 112, Zoning, § 112-22B(14)(c). The character of screening shall harmonize with the existing character of the plantings in the abutting R District.

H. Any landscape plan proposed for premises adjacent to an historical landmark shall be submitted to the Historical Preservation Commission for review and recommendations before final approval by the Planning/Architectural Review Board.

I. Schedule of planting.

(1) C-1, C-2, C-3, M-1 District One (1) tree shall be planted for each thirty (30) feet of street frontage, plus one (1) tree for every ten (10) parking spaces provided.

(2) R-3M District One (1) tree shall be planted for each dwelling unit, plus one (1) tree for every five (5) parking spaces provided.

J. The Planning/Architectural Review Board may grant a waiver of compliance from any one (1) or more of the above standards and criteria upon a showing of impossibility of strict compliance with this chapter.

K. Trees.

(1) All deciduous trees shall have a minimum caliper of two and five-tenths (2.5) inches measured at a point six (6) inches above finished grade level.

(2) All evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in height measured from finished grade level to the highest point of the tree.

(3) Any other variety or variation of tree shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height measured from finished grade level and a minimum caliper of one and three-fourths (1 3/4) inches measured at a point six (6) inches above finished grade level.

L. Plastic or any other types of artificial planting or vegetation are prohibited.

M. Replacement plantings shall be of the same species and size as original plantings.

N. Upon completion of the project and prior to the issuing of a certificate of occupancy, the Code Enforcement Official shall inspect and approve all landscaping.

O. Upon completion of landscaping in conformance with this chapter, the required greenspace shall not be reduced without prior approval of a revised landscape plan by the Planning/Architectural Review Board.

§ 57-5. Maintenance and performance bonds.

B. A maintenance bond or other acceptable security, to ensue that all plantings shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition and that all replacement plantings shall be made within one (1) year of the original date of planting, shall be issued to the village for any landscaping estimated at ten thousand dollars ($10,000.) or more. The bond shall be dated on the date that all plantings are completed and shall be for a period of one (1) year. The Code Enforcement Official shall inspect the landscaping, including replacements, before the bond is canceled or security returned.

C. After November 1 in any year, a performance bond or other acceptable security shall be required to ensure that all plantings and particulars of an approved landscape plan are completed. The Code Enforcement Official shall inspect the completed landscaping before the bond is canceled or security returned.

A picture of 5583 Main St Village Hall pictured in 1949 was originally built with limestone mined from the Young's limestone quarry which occupied what is now The Country Club of Buffalo. click here to see a bigger picture.

A picture of Main St looking West taken in 1950. The Ronecker building on the right is now home to Marty's formal wear. Picture courtesy of Dan Crapsi. click here to see a bigger picture.